The final day of the World Championships in Dallas came to a conclusion yesterday. Five championship matches to decide who would be crowned Worlds champion was on the line. The first match of the day was the most anticipated one between Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau and Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher. Let's break that one down along with the four others.
Women's Doubles Championship: Rohrabacher/Bright dominate, win in straights
Waters/Parenteau entered 2024 with an undefeated record. They had the one loss to Rohrabacher/Bright in March but for awhile that looked like it would be the only blemish on their record. However, the rise of Rachel Rohrabacher over the past few months has made this a real rivalry, as the two teams have now split the last four meetings on championship Sunday. This one went in favor of the #2 seeds as their offense and ability to finish points at the business ends of each game was the difference. It didn't allow the #1 seeds to do what they do best, mount comebacks and put together strings of points. It is the 7th women's doubles title this year for Bright/Rohrabacher.
Men's Doubles Championship: Big H living up to his name
Similar to what Rachel Rohrabacher has done in women's doubles, Hayden Patriquin is doing in men's doubles. His improvement rate is outpacing the field and at this moment it doesn't seem to matter who he plays with, he is having success regardless. This week it was Riley Newman by his side as they ran through Dekel Bar and Pablo Tellez in straight games. Patriquin now has three men's doubles titles in 2024, an event dominated by the Johns brothers and Johnson/Frazier for most of 2023 and the start of 2024.
Mixed Doubles Championship: Johns/Waters remain unchallenged
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters continue to mow down their competition with ease. On Sunday it was Christian Alshon and Etta Wright who fell victim to a straight game victory from the #1 seeds. After falling behind 7-1 in game 1, Johns/Waters locked in and made it a battle at the kitchen line, where they are most lethal. From there it was smooth sailing as they took games 2 and 3 11-5, 11-2.
Men's Singles Championship: Staksrud's experience wins out
Federico Staksrud is no stranger to the big stage and his experience showed in a major way Sunday as Cinderella story Michael Loyd fell behind early in game 1 and was never able to recover. Staksrud continues to sit atop the singles rankings due to his ability to suffocate opponents early in matches and Sunday was no different as he cruised to another title 11-3, 11-7.
Women's Singles Championship: Waters defeats Fahey in two tight games
Kate Fahey did a great job making Anna Leigh Waters work from the back of the court in her 3rd championship match of the day but Waters was just too good in the business end of each game. Whenever the score got tight, Waters reeled off 2-3 passing shots to put her nose in front. In the end it was Anna Leigh who hoisted the trophy, winning 11-7, 11-8 for her 11th title of the year.
